Rail-joint



C. M. OARNAHAN;

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

RAIL JOINT.

(No Model.)

Patented Nov. 4 1890.

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WITNESSES.

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' 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2.

RAIL JOINT.

Patented Nov. 4, 1890.

m a A Z////////////////////// G. M. OARNAHAN.

(NoModeL) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CYRUS M. OARNAIIAN, OF OORAOPOLIS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ALPHRETTA OARNAHAN, OF SAME PLACE, AND JOSEPH O. YOUNG, OF ROBINSON TOWVNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,757, dated November 4, 1890.

Application filed May 12, 1890. Serial No. 351,411. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CYRUS M. OARNAHAN, of Ooraopolis, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is aside elevation of my improved rail-joint. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section on the line II II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar cross-section showing a modified construction of the joint. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a modified construction of the joint. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section on the line V V of Fig. 4.

Like symbols of reference indicate like parts in each.

In the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2, 2 3 represent the adjacent ends of railway-rails, and 4 and 5 are the splice-bars. The splice-bar4 is of the angular shape shown, having a horizontal portion a, which is adapted to fit under the base of the rail, and a refleXed portion b, which fits over the flange at one side of the rail and against the side of the web. The other splice-bar 5 has a horizontal portion 0, which fits under the part a of the bar 4 and projects laterally beyond the same, and a reflexed portion (1, which fits over the flange and against the web at the side of the rail. The splice-bars are held in place by the usual bolts 6 and by spikes 7 and 8, of which the spikes 7 are driven through holes or slots in the laterally-projecting portion of the splicebar 5, and bear at one-side against the splicebar 5 and at the other side against the bar 4, thus drawing these partsin opposite directions against the interposed rail, while the spikes 8 bear against the other side of the splice-bar 5. The heads of the spikes bear against shoulders e on the splice-bars, and as the shank of each of the spikes 7 has a bearing at one side against the end of its slot in the bar 5, while the head of the spike on its opposite side bears at a higher point against the splice-bar, there is a spring action of the spike between these two points of bearings,

which exerts a tension on the parts 4 and 5 in opposite directions, draws them together with a constant and firm pressure on the rail, holds the latter securely in position, and prevents the parts from becoming loose.

The advantages of the device will be ap parent to those skilled in railroad construction. The splice-bars form a secure support for the rail at the joints, and by mutually bracing and tightening each other and tak ing the strain from the bolts they are much more effective than any other form of splicebars known to me. So effective are they that they can be used without bolts, and are of service in splicing the ends of broken rails. If desired, the parts of the splice-bars which fit against the webs of the rails may be omitted. This construction is shown in Fig. 3.

In the modified construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 one splice-bar does not fit below the other, but instead thereof the parts a and c fit under the flange of the rail, and a separate plate 9 is employed to fit under these parts, the spikes 7 and 8 being arranged to bear against the outer sides of the splicebars and having bearings at the outer ends of slots in the plate 9, which enable them to be operative in drawing the splice-bars together on the rail.

I claim- 1. In a railjoint, the combination, with the rails, of splice-bars having horizontal portions which fit under the bases of the rails, and spikes by which the splicebars are drawn together and held against the rails, one at least of said spikes passing through a slot in a plate which fits under the rails, and having a bearing at one side on the plate and at the other side having a bearing at its head against the adjacent splicebar, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. In a rail-joint, the combination, with the rails, of splice-bars 4 and 5, the splicebar 4 having a horizontal portion'a fitting under the base of the rail, and the splicebar 5 having a horizontal portion fitting under the said portion a, and a spike 7, pass ing through aslot in the horizontal portion of the splice-bar 5 and having a bearing thereon at one side, and at the other side having a hearing at its head against the splice-bar 4, whereby the parts are drawn in opposite directions and held against the rails, substantially asand for the purposes described.

In testimony whei'eof I have hei'eunto set my hand this 9th day of May, A. D. 1890.

CYRUS n. GARNAHAN.

Witnesses:

THOMAS W. BAKEWELL; W. B. OORWIN. 

